Hamilton Finishes 12th at Hungarian Grand Prix After Calling Himself 'Useless'

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AUG 4

Above: Lewis Hamilton during the F1 Grand Prix of Hungary in Budapest, Hungary on Aug. 3, 2025. Image copyright: Kym Illman/Getty Images

story last updated AUG 5

The Spin

Narrative A

Hamilton's struggles reflect the natural challenges of adapting to a new team and car philosophy at Ferrari. The gap to Leclerc was minimal in qualifying sessions, with Hamilton missing Q3 by just milliseconds. Ferrari's recent upgrades show promise, and Hamilton's emotional transparency demonstrates his commitment to excellence rather than decline.

ESPN.com The New York Times

Narrative B

Hamilton's performance raises serious questions about his ability to compete at the highest level in his 40s. Former drivers like Ralf Schumacher see parallels to their own retirement decisions when they could no longer match younger teammates. The consistent gap to Leclerc and lack of podium finishes suggest Hamilton may be past his prime.

F1 Oversteer GPblog